Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on the recent political coalition that took control of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling the group a mix of failed politicians with nothing new to offer Nigerians.
Speaking on Wednesday, Wike said the takeover of the ADC by former government officials and opposition members shows a clear sign of desperation and lack of direction.
He noted that many of the individuals now parading themselves as leaders in the ADC have already held top positions in the past, yet left no meaningful legacy behind.
Wike did not hold back in mentioning names. He pointed at former Senate President, David Mark, questioning what he achieved during his time in office.
“I heard David Mark say they want to rescue Nigeria. That Nigerians are not happy. But the man was Senate President for 8 years, and Nigerians were happy? There was no single project in Otukpo. Not one. He was flying with a helicopter to Otukpo. Nigerians were not angry then, but they are angry now?”
He also recalled how Mark could not help his own party win elections in his region, noting that his daughter, running under the All Progressives Congress (APC), won instead.
Turning to former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, Wike said, “Amaechi was minister. He took Chinese loans and made Nigeria so indebted to China. So, Nigerians were happy then?”
He continued by questioning the logic behind the sudden concern for Nigeria by those who were once in power, asking why they only seem to notice the country’s issues after losing their influence.
Wike then listed other names in the coalition, including former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, and former Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, asking what they did while in power to solve the problems they now speak against.
“I saw Sirika. What happened to Air Nigeria? Nigerians were happy then?” he asked. “I read what Malami wrote. It was so shameful. He was AGF. What did he do? What was his contribution to resolving the security challenges?”
The minister also directed his criticism at Aminu Tambuwal, former Speaker of the House and ex-governor of Sokoto State. “Tambuwal was Speaker for four years. What did he do to make Nigerians not be angry? He was governor for eight years. What did he do?”
Wike added that former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, only joined the ADC after a fallout with his political godfather, Senator Bukola Saraki.
According to him, the only party still capable of mounting a real opposition against President Tinubu’s leadership is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) — but only if they can unite and reorganize.
He noted, “The only party today that can still challenge Tinubu is the PDP if they put their house in order.”
